Private mobile phone operator Banglalink’s CEO Erik Asas has dismissed the possibility of a dialogue with employees protesting against the sacking of a colleague.
In an internal e-mail notification served on Tuesday, he said he was disappointed after observing a group of employees who apparently did not share the company’s vision. “As you know we have our code of conduct with zero tolerance of any corruption, misconduct, unethical or unlawful behaviour,” the e-mail, obtained by the Dhaka Tribune, reads.
Erik said Banglalink was “going through relatively big changes” and that it was “testing times” for the employees.
On January 29, as many as 719 employees formed the Banglalink Employees’ Union, with Ujjal Paul as the president and Bakhtiar Hossain as the general secretary. It sought the labour department’s approval on February 7.
Banglalink, one of the leading mobile phone operators, and the union locked horns on February 11 after the firing of engineer Shariful Islam, allegedly for his involvement in organising the union. Interrogation by Banglalink’s human resource department apparently left another union member hospitalised.
Recently, the union sought the prime minister’s intervention to ensure job security and an end to alleged threats by the management. The Prime Minister’s Office received the letter on Tuesday.
They dubbed Shariful’s firing unlawful and accused the management of threatening employees to stop union activities. Bangladesh’s labour law allows workers to form unions.
CEO Erik said the management was willing to have talks with individuals. “However, I see no reason to have a dialog [sic] with people who are arranging violent activities, disrupting the business, or spreading false information and rumours about us.”